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Hamlin proved at Richmond that no lead is safe
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Analysis:
I have never seen emotions running so high and races filled with the unknowns, the unexpected and drama. It all started Friday night with Denny Hamlin winning the pole for the Cup race. That was a big deal for him because he had said going in that running Richmond was like his Daytona 500 to him. That's how important he thought Richmond was since he literally grew up just down the road from the race track.
Then that Nationwide race Friday night was crazy, too. Kyle Busch had a terrible race car and it wouldn't handle for anything. He got a lap down but he and his team kept working on it all night. Lo and behold he got his lap back and then was a factor by the end of the night.
That's what I love about the Nationwide Series. You not only have to have good equipment, but you have to have a sharp crew chief who knows the right time to do things. Tire strategy was huge. Just ask Kevin Harvick. He was having a great night in a dominating car that was the one to beat. He decided to stay out on the last caution and a bunch of others decided to come in to the pits for fresh tires and fuel. Fresh tires made the difference and Denny ended up beating Harvick and capturing the win.
So Friday he won a pole for the Cup race and then he went out and won the Nationwide race. He was so pumped. What obviously was a preview of things to come, Kyle Busch and Steven Wallace had some words after the Nationwide race. I complimented Kyle for not using his race car for retaliation. They should never use the cars for retaliation. It's just wrong to do that plus it's dangerous.
So going down and getting in someone's face, well I am ok with that. That's the way we used to do it. That is the kind of emotion we used to show. If two drivers want to get into a little scuffle after a race, that's fine with me — have at it but not with your race cars because it's the crews that end up suffering because they are the ones that have to fix them.
Saturday night the race starts and Denny Hamlin was in another area code. No one could come close to him all night long and everything was flawless. He led every lap but one. Denny, his crew chief Mike Ford and the FedEx pit crew were executing to perfection. I kept expecting something to happen to hurt them either in the pits or on the track but Denny drove like a master and the pit crew was flawless.
Larry McReynolds and I have been doing this our whole lives and we worse-case scenario'd that thing to death. But that's what we do. We don't have the luxury of instant replay so we have to call it as we see it and how we anticipate it could be. We kind of have a feel for what's going to happen and we share that with you as things go along. Some pan out, but others don't.
I know you are sick of hearing us say "it isn't over until it's over," but it's just so true. Kevin Harvick had the Friday night race won, but all of a sudden circumstances change and he doesn't win. Denny Hamlin on Saturday night, well there is no way they are going to lose that race unless they beat themselves. That was the fear Larry and I were having.
But then on a restart he felt like he had a tire going soft. You don't want to over-react because maybe it's not going down. You don't want to pit only to find out later it was simply buildup on the tire, so you stay on the track. I know exactly what was going thru that young man's mind. Unfortunately, in this case, that is exactly what was happening and you go into shock.
You can't believe that you have had a car all night that dominates, and now the race is slipping away from you. A slow leak cost him that race. He stayed on the track, but it finally got to a point where he had no choice. He was in the worse place to be when the tire blew out — just past pit road entrance.
Whether he stopped on the track intentionally or whether he stopped because he didn't want the blown tire to tear off the fender — I am just not sure what he was thinking. Obviously NASCAR thought he did it intentionally and held him for a two lap penalty in the pits. So his night was all but over.
| Ask DW |
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That set up the most interesting situation that you could have. Now you have Dale Earnhardt Jr. with the lead and Kyle Busch right there too. Denny didn't stop on the track to help Kyle — Denny stopped on the track to get a caution to get his tire changed.
We knew that Kyle was going to make a run at Junior on the re-start because he had done the same thing to Denny earlier in the race. We knew it could get real intense and it did. With two laps to go, Junior changes his line a little bit and starts running a little higher in the turns because he knows Kyle is right there and he has to try and do something to get away from him.
Kyle's car was better on the short runs, while Dale's was better on the long runs. But guess what folks? This wasn't a long run. This was a four- to five-lap shootout here. So with two laps to go Dale comes off Turn 2 and Kyle gets a run along side of the No. 88. They drag race down the backstretch with no contact. Dale tries to keep Kyle pinned down but Kyle gets a little loose. Kyle gets into Dale and the No. 88 goes into the outside wall and it doesn't help Kyle a bit. He was running in 2nd spot when it happened and Clint Bowyer slipped by on the inside. So Clint wins the race. Kyle finishes second and Dale Jr. is wrecked.
The only problem that Kyle has right now is that he needs a good PR person telling him what to say. It's not his driving that is making so many enemies, it's his interview skills that are killing him. They are terrible. I am going to talk to him this weekend in Darlington and see if I can explain to him how to handle himself in front of the media.
If he could just learn to do a better post-race interview and not get himself in so much trouble, he will be fine. He is alienating so many people and making a lot of enemies AFTER the race, not so much during the race. I think the young man needs to keep driving like he's driving but work on his PR skills. I believe people will have a lot more respect for him if he would do that because he is doing a great job behind the wheel.
Oh, by the way
I thought it was a good night for Jeff Gordon who had a terrible race car. He qualified poorly and had to start in the rear because of an unapproved adjustment on the car. He got lapped, but he and his team didn't panic and they continued to make the car better as the night went along. By the end of the night, Jeff was running in the top 10. That was a great recovery for that entire No. 24 team.
You have to admit — the whole night was crazy. We had the big one at Richmond. How many times have we ever said that? The big one normally is at Talladega or Daytona. You had heartbreak with Denny Hamlin and Dale Jr. plus you had incredible drama. The last few weeks I think are just a product of good, close, hard racing right now.
We are headed to Darlington with a new surface and the cars are going to be super fast. That's going to cause some guys to be a little edgy and then the following week you have the All Star race. So these next few weeks, everyone is going to have to take a chill pill and try to keep themselves under control. There is going to be a lot of action, emotion and high drama and NASCAR is going to have their hands full keeping everyone under control.
Oh, by the way II
Speaking of under control — I felt bad for my brother Saturday night. Michael was having a halfway decent night. Unfortunately during one of the laps he came off the high side and Casey Mears didn't know he was there and they got together. Then you saw what happened after that and then NASCAR parked Michael for the rest of the night. I feel bad for Michael because it was an unfortunate situation for both those guys.
Member Comments
If Kyle were to win a championship 2 things would happen...option A: alot of jaws would be working in over-time and over-drive...beefin about something...Option B: some say Kyle is nothing but a punk kid who acts like DW of old...but remember that punk is winning races...has the points,skills and the moxy to back up what he says...sorta like Ali was in the ring ...all mouth...and the punch to back it up...so love him or hate him...he's there and we're not...so what does that say ?
esteban19495/10/2008 3:44:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I love Hockey. It has been the best team in my heart. BTW, I heard that one of its teammates is dating on the first luxury online dating serivce W e a l t h y F i n d e r. c o m. I don't who he is
lookingsky19855/9/2008 5:52:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
JrRacing88 that probably will never happen with Kyle. He will eventually get knocked down to size before something like that will come into play. Bad part of that is somebody could really get hurt because of his racing mentality.
Bugsc885/8/2008 19:02:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
Kyle Busch's comments after the Nationwide race "I'll wreck as many cars as I have to" that speaks volumes I'd think to fellow race car drivers safety wise and car owners money wise (having to fix all his wrecked vehicles) There are drivers you can feel comfortable racing side by side knowing they have a "mutual" respect. Please teach Kyle Busch the word!
JrRacin885/8/2008 17:27:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
One reason that "Jaws" seems to appreciate Kyle is "It takes one to know one". Darrell must feel he's looking into a magic mirror that takes him back 30 years. Back in those days I just could not stand Mr. Waltrip. But later (20 years?) I read some stories about a few of his antics and I really came to appreciate his style and wit.<br /><br />As for people being so upset about Kyle hitting Jr. "His wheels turned to the right!" is what a fair amount of people are saying. Well, when your car gets loose you make a correction. Many times it is just instinct. No intent.<br /><br />What would you have NASCAR do about all this contact that goes on? Perhaps turn NASCAR into the more "Gentlemanly" sport of SCCA or some such where you can be penalized for "avoidable <br />contact"? Whom would you have carry the responsibility for making those calls. Seems like there is enough problems with the rule interpretation/enforcement as it is.
psalms375/8/2008 9:48:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
To all those who think Kyle Busch has no fans,, they are wrong. I love Kyle Busch and I know others who feel the same way!<br /><br />*Now, DW, I don't know why you are saying Kyle has no PR skills, when you yourself were just like Kyle when you drove during your nascar driving career.
nascarlovergirly5/8/2008 7:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
quote by DW;;;So Friday he won a pole for the Cup race and then he went out and won the Nationwide race. He was so pumped. What obviously was a preview of things to come, Kyle Busch and Steven Wallace had some words after the Nationwide race. I complimented Kyle for not using his race car for retaliation. They should never use the cars for retaliation. It's just wrong to do that plus it's dangerous. <br /><br /><br />WELL YOU SEEMED TIGHT LIP WHEN YOUR BROTHER WAS TRYING TO KILL MEARS. I understand bros but your sopose to be Bias up in the booth but your lips found Kyle and you brother just got hung up.
greenbutt5/8/2008 4:04:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Na$$car doent hand out any peniltys for the jr/kb wreck, doent even take the drivers to the big truck. But jr fans will cry about this for weeks, sobber up,the weekend is here. DW the only ppl crying are jr fans big supprise there, finally someone on the trak thats not afraid to race with jr or get a boooo from jr fans, i think thats where Jeff Gordon & J Johnson are,for awhile the fans Boooing them they really didnt want them booing so beeeeing carefull around jr lost them some races, JG & JJ really dont know how to deal them him this yr either. KB doent have that problem the other drivers should race jr the same way. Friend are friends but they pay these guys Millions to race not play kissey..kissey..wreck each other nooo, race to race
runwhatyabrung5/8/2008 4:02:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I don't care what anyone else says, the Denny Hamlin stayed on the track just to bring out the caution to help crybaby busch! Hamlin should be docked some points for that stunt! As for crybaby busch, the wheels turned right and the 88 got screwed! That was JR's race to win! Wasn't busch who said anything to win? What a conspiracy against JR there is!As for Michael there is a such thing as anger management! Maybe he should try it! At least a Chevy won the race and not a rice burner!
Godzilla19845/7/2008 16:28:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I guess you should feel bad for your brother DW. After 4 wins coming in right at 700 starts, all of which came in a DEI plate car that Stevie Wonder seemingly could drive to the winner's circle- i'd say he was due for a little sympathy for us all. I only hope he doesn't follow oyur footsteps and taint your legacy as a broadcaster as he has on the track.
robcat485/7/2008 13:15:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
I also heard something on Nascar Now (oops competitor's show) about Dale Jr. getting penalized in '04 for doing what Hamlin did Saturday. That set a precedent. Robby Gordon's temper penalties set a precedent. I don't buy this let the emotions show crappola. It's fine to be passionate, it's even okay to spew or get in someone's face when the frustration's fresh (although as frustrated as JR was Saturday, he managed to reason it out and not trash Kyle), but using your car as a weapon would get you arrested for a felony off the track. There's no excuse for that. Yeah, Mikey put every other driver on the track in jeopardy with his tantrum.
pegn535/7/2008 11:17:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I watched Mikey on This Week In Nascar. I think your brother has some srious issues. It's obvious he can't drive and it's also obvious that he tries desperately to be a comedian. He is neither. He was supposed to be the flagship for Toyota. We all see how that worked out ... jet fuel, stolen Rousch parts, running Mears into the fence. Mikey should go back to the Nationwide series or better yet the trucks because he obviously doesn't have what it takes at the Sprint level. By the way II ..... how about getting your lips off the Shrub's ass and cover another make of race car beside your beloved rice burners?
1968gtxman5/7/2008 8:24:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
OMG, DW!! Come on! I like you, I even like Mikey, but what he did to Mears was WRONG! Let Robby Gordon do that and see NASCAR penalize him out the arse! How can you soft pedal that just because he's your brother. Geez! As for that weaseley little wanker, Hamlin, I still believe he caused the caution to help Kyle. If he couldn't win, he was going to make sure his teammate got the shot. I hope his hip injury gives him problems right through this Saturday night so he can't race. Wanker! DW, I am really disappointed in you.
pegn535/7/2008 7:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
you guys are crazy,20 years from now when fans are sitting around talking about the best there ever was,will ever be.they will be talking about "wild thing"his 8 titles,number two in wins,behind the king.he will be ranked #1 ahead of jeff gordon #3 jimmy johnson #4 tony s #5 dale e #6 richard petty #7 matt k #8 david pearson #9 ole dw #10 bobby allison.the "wild thing" is the man folks.stop crying and get on the wagon.
papawjoe655/7/2008 6:34:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Fbtc - Regarding your 5:14 PM post, I agree 100% right down to being a big DW fan back in the day.<br /><br />MrEdBikes - If they really are approaching 200 mph entering the turns on the new pavement at Darlington, it would be the wrong place for any payback. The proper place would be the September race at New Hampshire.
JumpingPig5/7/2008 6:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
DW, Larry Mc and Jeff... you guys drink too much political correctness kool-aid for NASCAR... I hope Fox and ESPN will hire a "tell-it-like-it-is" guy... someone like Sir Charles Barkley... <br /><br />Face it Fox commentators... Hamlin should be at least 25 points lighter for his Chase run. If JGR and/or Mike Ford ordered him to stop, shame on them; and #18 will get repaid at Darlington... he took-out June-Bug, pure and simple
MrEdBikes5/7/2008 6:00:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm sure Hendrick is glad he is rid of the Busch baby.<br />He gain a person with alot of class. Busch needs to take some lesson. He is nothing like Sr. and to hear people even compare that snot nose baby to him make my blood boil.Sr had the respect of other drivers and Busch will never. Ask Steven Wallace.
racermama885/7/2008 5:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
My problem with Busch is that he seems on the edge all the time - nevr completely in control of his car. As far as PR goes, what is the matter with telling the truth. In his mind he will wreck anyone to win and usually looses control at some point during the race and hits someone. You seem to be the biggest supporter of his "lack of control" style of sriving.
Avid885/7/2008 5:17:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I don't think some of you understand Jr. nation. Most like and care for Dale Jr., not rather he wins races but only because we like him. I am so tired of hearing he is popular because of his dad. I saw very few races of Dale Sr. and knew very little about him. I started watching nascar only because of Dale JR. and nobody else. That is the only reason I continue to watch. I and most of jrnation will be for him even if he never wins another race. It is not about winning or being the best driver, although I think Jr. is one of them, we just like and care for him. Also he is not his father and he has never said he was. He is Dale Jr. and has him own fans that knew very little about his Dad.
LHSJRF5/6/2008 20:48:00 PM(Report inappropriate content)
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